When I met you , I knew right away that we could never be, the age difference went beyond numerical value — it was more the fact of two people being in different stages of their lives. So it took me quite by surprise when I realized that we enjoyed plenty of conversation, easy laughter, and a quiet compatibility. Being the older more mature “participant”, if you could call it that, I knew that I needed to back away in order to keep you in my life.

I was being practical, I told myself, that in a more platonic fashion, our friendship could flourish into something strong that went beyond the temporary silliness of romantic attachment. So I immersed myself in other projects , in other people, and kept you in the background. So why is it that every time I see you there is a distant yet unmistakably painful ache in my heart? I want to protect you from the very things I know you need to experience in order to grow…and it hurts knowing that there is nothing I could do. Read more →